Drawing machine



Aug. 18, 1942. w.` E. KERR DRAWING MACHINE Filed March A13, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN-roR Wa//ace A/efr.

.am mw Nm llg. 1.8, 1942. W, *Ev KERR 2,293,150

DRAWING MACHINE Filed March l5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m, r@ l/ O O :1:

l e 0 v g INVENTOR Wa//ace f. Kern RNE Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED sTATas PATENT OFFICE DRAWING MACHINE Wallace E. Kerr, Youngstown, Ohio Application March 13, 1941, Serial No. 383,131

13 Claims.

This invention related to a metal drawing machine and more particularly to an improved construction for the bed of such machine and to an improved arrangement for securing the die holder of the machine to the bed thereof.

A principal object of the invention is the improvement in the design and construction of the above mentioned structural elements of the machine whereby the same may be manufactured at substantially decreased costs and this is accomplished in accordance with the invention by so constructing the bed of the draw bench that maximum use is made of standardized and inexpensive structural shapes in the manufacture of the apparatus. Also the design of the apparatus is such that but a small amount of machine work is required in the production of the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved bed for a metal drawing machine which is economical to construct but which nevertheless possesses suliicient strength and rigidity to oppose vany normal or impact thrust on the bed by the grip bit buggy, draw chain or other part of the complete drawing machine. To this end the invention includes an improved arrangement for interpositi'oning the varivous structural elements making up the bed of the draw bench and improved devices for tying together the various component elements thereof.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision `of 4an improved arrangement for fastening the die holder onto the bed of themachine whereby the large stresses impressed on the Adie holder by the stock being drawn through the die or dies carried thereby will be opposed in a most eicient manner by those structural sections of the bed which are most suited `for the purpose.

These and other objects and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent upon 'a `consideration of the following detailed specification and the accompanying drawings wherein there is specifically disclosed a preferred embodiment of Vthe invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 isa plan View, partly in section along the line I-I of Figure 2, of a, portion of a bed of `a metal drawing machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section along the fline 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the apparatus .of Figures 1 and 2;

-Figure 4 is a longitudinal section-of the end of the bed of the draw bench showing the die holder attached thereto; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

As is well understood in the art, a machine for drawing metal tubes and other shapes comprises an elongated bed on which is adapted to travel a carriage or buggy carrying grip bits or tongs to engage the leading ends of the stock pieces to draw the saine through the die or dies of the machine, a die holder secured to one end of the bed, a power driven sprocket at or adjacent the other end of the bed, and a draw chain interconnecting the sprocket and buggy whereby the buggy may be pulled along the bed and the stock piece or pieces anchored to the buggy by the bits or tongs drawn through the die or dies carried by the holder. The present invention, however, is concerned only with the construction of' the die holder and bed and with the means for fastening the holder to the bed.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the principal part of the bed is made up of a pair of spaced parallel I beams Il! which extend throughout the length of the bed either as unitary members or as members built up of shorter pieces by welding or other suitable means. Beams ID are of standard construction, being provided with flanges I I of substantially uniform thickness. They are maintained in their spaced relation by a plurality of spreaders I2 spaced along the bed. As shown in Figure 3, the periphery of the upper portions of the spreaders are such that the saine are snugly received within the i corners provided by the Webs and the inwardly directed flanges of the beams It. As indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the spreaders I2 consist of a ring-like flange I3 extending about a web I4. The lower wall of the flange 'I3 inclines downwardly at I5 from either side of the spreaderand extending downwardly from the center portion yof the lower wall are a pair of spaced lugs I5.

In practice, the lugs are positioned just inwardly of the lower anges of the beams I0 and each have apertures for the `passage of the shanks of bolts I'I. The heads of the bolts I'I are preferably square and are positioned between the inwardly directed lower anges II of the beams I0 and the inclined surfaces I5 of the spreaders I2. On the inner ends of each the bolts I1 is threaded a nut I8 and it should be apparent that when nuts I8 are drawn up, the heads of bolts I1 will be tightly wedged between the flanges I I of beams I0 and the inclined surfaces I5 thereby forcing the spreaders into tight engagement with the upper inwardly directed flanges II of the beams Extending along the top of the beams I is a continuous angle I9, the horizontal legs 20 of which form tracks for the supporting wheels of the buggy and the vertically extending legs 2| of which provide guiding surfaces for the buggy.

It should be observed that the inner surfaces of the angles I9 terminate short of the inner edges of the upper lianges II of the beams I0 to provide ledges against which the side portions of the bottom wall of a continuous channel 22 is adapted to bear. Extending within channel 22 is a wear plate or liner 23 on which the draw chain is adapted to rest and slide. Positioned intermediate each of the spreaders I2 and the channel 22 and closely fitting between the upper flanges II of the beams I0 is a plate 24 secured to the channel 22 by welding or otherwise and having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the flanges I I.

The web of each of the beams I Il is rigidly fastened to the side lianges I3 of each of the spreaders I2 by a plurality of bolts 25, shown as being four in number in the embodiment speciflcally illustrated. The liner 23, channel 22, and each of the plates 24 and the spreaders I2 are securely clamped together by the bolts 2B, two of which are used at each of the spreaders in the illustrated embodiment. Angles I9 are secured to the upper flanges II of the beams I0 by the counter-sunk bolts 2'I which are positioned intermediate the spreaders. The assembled bed is supported on a plurality of members 28 each of which is provided with upper flanges 29 adapted to be rigidly attached to the lower flanges of the beams I0 by the bolts 30.

It should be apparent that the above described draw bench bed may be readily constructed principally of standardized sections and that when the same are assembled in the manner indicated the resultant structure will possess substantial strength and rigidity, Of the bed proper only the spreaders I2 need be specially constructed and these are preferably cast. During the operation of the drawing machine, it frequently happens that the buggy is loaded off center as would occur if two work pieces were being simultaneously drawn side by side and one of the pieces were to become unfastened from the buggy which would cause a heavy lateral stress to be imposed on one or the other of the guides 2|. In Ymy construction such force will be opposed by substantially all of the sectional elements of the structural shapes making up the bed since all of such elements are rigidly tied together by the spreaders I2, any downward movement of the spreaders as would tend to be accomplished by twisting of the angles I9 being effectively opposed by the wedged heads of the bolts I'I. These bolts are drawn up tight to force the spreaders into heavy pressure contact with the upper flanges I I of the beams IU to such an extent that the friction which must be overcome to effect sliding between the surfaces is enormous thereby contributing to the rigidity of the structure and effectively preventing weaving or twisting of the same. This avoidance is further aided by the interpositioning of the channel 22 and the plates 24 between the angles I9 and the anges II of the beams II), respectively, since any lateral force applied to one of the beams or its attached track rail is immediately transmitted to the other beam and track rail. Now, since the beams are ruggedly interconnected by the spreaders I2, the

Whole of the assembled structure is operative to oppose the force.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the die holder of the invention comprises a body having an upwardly extending portion 3E) in which is provided vertical guides to slidably receive the die block. The holder has a horizontally extending portion SI to overlie the top flanges of the beams I0, a vertically extending portion 32 to abut against the ends of the beams and a lower horizontal portion 33 to engage the bottom surface of the lower flanges of the beams lo. The die holder 3i) 33 is preferably cast as an unitary article. Its portion 3l is securely fastened to the upper flanges II of the beams I0 by the bolts 34. The vertical end portion 32 of the die holder is rigidly bolted to webs 36, which are preferably welded to the ends of beams III, by the bolts 3?.

Two apertures 38 are provided in the die holder portions 32 and S3 and are so positioned that their upper walls are a short distance above the lower surfaces of the beams Ill while their lower walls are spaced below the lower surfaces of the beams. Also one aperture is positioned directly under the web of each beam. After the die holder is assembled on the end of the beams as indicated, a tapered key or plug 4) is driven into each of the apertures S8 and into contact with the bottom surfaces of the beams IIB. Since the wedges 4I] are positioned directly beneath the webs of the beams Il), the beams will be tightly wedged between the portions 3l and 33 of the holder thereby rigidly and immovably fastening the die holder onto the ends of the beams.

It should be apparent upon an inspection of Figures l and 5 that the load imparted to the die holder by the stock being drawn through the die or dies is eccentric with respect to the beams I0 and that this eccentric loading will tend to rotate the die holder in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Figure 4. The overturning moment is opposed first, by the longitudinally spaced bolts 34, second, by the webs 36, third, and principally, by the interconnection provided between the lower die holder portion 33 and the lower flanges of the beams I5 and the bolts 35. The latter being so because of the greater effective length of the moment arm as represented by the interval between the fulcrum point and point of interconnection. The effectiveness of the interconnection is materially aided by the use of the wedges 40 which enormously tightens the connection between the beams and the die holder. By positioning the wedges directly under the vertical webs of the beams Il, the forces exerted by the wedges are effectively transmitted to the upper flanges of the beams thereby providing a heavy friction factor to oppose any relative movement by the die holder and the upper flanges of the beams. This has the further advantage of preventing the loosening and wear of the parts during continued operation of the drawing apparatus.

It should now be apparent that I have provided an improved bed construction for metal drawing apparatus, an improved die holder for such apparatus, and an improved method of attaching the holder to the bed which accomplishes the objects initially set out. The bed may be economically constructed principally of standardized structural shapes while requiring but a single specially constructed part which part is so designed and employed that it may be economically cast. The assembled apparatus is effective in opposing any normal or impact stress which is imposed during the operation of the machine and this is accomplished primarily by the use of the spreaders and attached `wedging means above described which effectively oppose any deflection of the upper beam flanges' and consequently all the track rails supported by and rigidly attached to the flanges. The die holder may likewise be cast and is readily assembled on the bed by relatively simple and inexpensive means and when so assembled is operative to oppose the heavy forces resulting from the drawing operation without undue deflection of any of the parts or portions thereof and without the probability of any of the parts becoming loosened in the service.

The above specifically described embodiment of the invention should be considered as illustrative only as obviously many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A bed construction for a draw bench comprising in combination a pair of spaced longitudinally `extending members having inwardly directed upper and lower flanges, a track rail supported on each of said upper flanges, a spreader secured to said members intermediate said flanges, and wedging means interposed between said spreader and certain of said flanges to rigidly maintain the spacing of said flanges thereby preventing deflection of said track rails.

2. A bed construction for a draw bench comprising in combination a pair of spaced longitudinally extending members having inwardly directed upper and lower flanges, a track rail supported on each of said upper flanges but spaced from the inner edges of said upper flanges, a channel intermediate said rails and supported on the inner portions of said upper flanges, a spreader secured to said members intermediate said flanges, and means to rigidly clamp said upflanges, a spreader comprising a unitary body secured to the vertical webs of said I beams, means to rigidly clamp the inner portions of said upper flanges between said channel and said spreader, and wedge means between the bottom surface of said spreader and the lower flanges of said beams whereby the said spreader is further forced into pressure contact with said upper flanges thereby preventing deflection of said upper flanges and the track rails supported thereon.

4. A bed construction for a draw bench cornprising in combination a pair of spaced parallel I beams, a track rail comprising a continuous angle supported on the upper flanges of each of said beams, the vertical legs of said angles being positioned on the inner portions of said upper` flanges but spaced from the inner edges thereof, a channel intermediate said rails and supported on the innermost portions of said upper flanges,

\ a spreader comprising a unitary body secured to the vertical webs of said I beams, means to rigidly clamp the innerv portions of said upper flanges between said channel and said spreader, a plate interposed between said upper flanges and intermediate said channeland spreader, the bottom of said spreader being spaced upwardly from the lower flanges of said I beams and inclined downwardly and inwardly from said vertical webs, lugs extending downwardly from the center portion of said spreader and positioned intermediate said lower flanges, said lugs having apertures therethrough, bolts having heads positioned intermediate said inclined surfaces and said lower flanges extending through said apertures, and nuts on said bolts on the side of said lugs opposite said heads whereby said spreader may be wedged into pressure engagement with the upper flanges of said I beams.

5. A bed construction for a draw bench comrising in combination a pair of spaced longitudinally extending members having inwardly directed upper and lower flanges, a track rail supported on each of said upper flanges, a spreader secured to said members intermediate said flanges, and bearing against the upper flanges, the bottom wall of said spreader being inclined ldownwardly from either side thereof, said inclined surfaces being spaced from said lower flanges, lugs depending downwardly from said spreader intermediate said lower flanges, a bolt extending through each of said lugs and having a head intermediate the adjacent lower flange and inclined surface, and means to draw said bolts inwardly through said lugs whereby said spreader is forced into tight engagement with said upper flanges.

6. A bed construction for a draw bench comprising a pair of spaced longitudinally extending members having inwardly directed upper and lower flanges, a track rail supported on each of said upper flanges but spaced from the inner edges of said upper flanges, a channel intermediate said rails and supported on the inner portions of said upper flanges, means to rigidly clamp said upper flanges between said channel and said spreader, and means to wedge said spreader between said upper and lower flanges.

'7. A bed construction for a draw bench comprising in combination a pair of spaced longitudinally extending members having inwardly directed flanges, a track rail supported on each of the said flanges but spaced from the'inner edges thereof, a longitudinally extending member intermediate said rails and supported on the inner portions of said flanges, and means to rigidly interconnect said rails, flanges and last mentioned longitudinally extending member.

8. A bed construction for a draw bench comprising in combination a pair of spaced longitudinally extending members having inwardly directed upper and lower flanges, a track rail supported on each of said upper flanges, a spreader `secured to said members intermediate their flanges and bearing against the upper flanges, cam surfaces on the bottom wall of said spreader above said lower flanges and movable means interposed between said cam surfaces and said lower flanges whereby said spreader is forced into tight engagement with said upper flanges thereby preventing deflection of said rails and upper flanges.

9. In a draw bench, a bed comprising a pair of spaced longitudinally extending members having vertically disposed webs and upper and lower flanges, a die holder comprising a body having a portion to overlie a portion of said upper flanges and a portion to engage the bottom surfaces of said lower flanges, longitudinally extending apertures in said body in substantial alignment with said bottom surfaces, means to secure said flanges to said body, and wedges positioned in said apertures and engaging said lower surfaces to rigidly wedge the adjacent ends of said members between the said portions of said body, said apertures and wedges being vertically aligned with said webs.

10. In a draw bench, a bed comprising a longitudinally extending body having spaced upper and lower surfaces and an end surface therebetween, a die holder comprising a body having a portion to overlie a portion of said upper surface and a portion to engage said lower surface, a longitudinally extending aperture in said die holder in substantial alignment with said bottom surface, and a wedge positioned in said aperture for engaging said lower surface to rigidly wedge the adjacent end of said bed between the said portions of said die holder body.

11. In a draw bench, a bed comprising a pair of spaced parallel longitudinally extending I beams, a track rail supported on each of said beams, a spreader secured to said beams intermediate the flanges thereof and engaging the upper flanges of said beams to prevent deflection thereof; a die holder comprising a unitary body having a portion to overlie and a portion of said upper flanges, a portion extending downwardly across the ends of said beams, and a portion to engage the lower flanges of said beams, and means to rigidly secure the rst and third mentioned portions of said die holder body to the adjacent flanges of said beams.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 further including apertures extending through said second and third mentioned portions of said die holder body in substantially longitudinal alignment with the bottom surfaces of said lower flanges and in substantially vertical alignment with the vertically disposed webs of said beams, and webs positioned in said apertures and engaging said lower surfaces to wedge the ends of said beams between the said rst and third mentioned portions of said die holder body.

13. In a draw bench, a bed comprising a longitudinal extending body and spaced upper and lower surfaces and an end surface therebetween, a die holder comprising a unitary body having a portion to overlie a portion of said upper surface, a second portion to extend downwardly across the end of said bed and a third portion to engage said lower surface, and means to rigidly interconnect said rst and third mentioned portions of said die holder body to said upper and lower surfaces respectively.

WALLACE E. KERR. 

